The workers were recognized by a remittance firm for their efforts and sacrifices to provide financial support their families back home in the Philippines

Twelve overseas Filipino workers were honored by financial-services company MoneyGram for the sacrifices they made to provide for their families.

The MoneyGram Idol Awards, now on their second year, aim to recognize and pay tribute to people working overseas in order to provide financial support for their families back home in the Philippines, Philippine Star reported.

Alex Lim, MoneyGram’s manager for the Philippines, said the awards aimed to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of overseas Filipino workers. One of the firm’s services is handling remittances.

“There are millions of Filipinos who live and work abroad and we believe that their everyday efforts should be recognized and properly awarded,” Lim said.

As of 2017, there were more than 10 million Filipinos working abroad in 170 countries and territories, including Saudi Arabia, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and Taiwan. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the total remittances of overseas Filipino workers was around $28.1 billion last year.